Yesterday we spoke about some rules and ground principles for using technology. Another important thing to keep in mind is because we as intelligent people do not like to waste important things. We know that the most important thing is our time, another crucial element is how much of our time we are spending. If something is necessary or required, we use it according to the necessity and requirement. This is fine. The problem arises when things start becoming addictive and we start dedicating more time than is necessary or appropriate, and then more time that is sensible and logical. Today, many studies are showing that youngsters and adults are spending so much time with devices that it is having a negative effect on their bodies, minds, and attention span. It affects their vision and ability to learn and creates an irritable state inside a young person where they are constantly on the edge and very easily lose their temper. These are changes very easily noticed based on the usage of these devices. We have a responsibility to ourselves, our bodies, families, education, and ultimately, a responsibility to Allah (SWT). The moment this technology starts creating a barrier between our education and us, it means it has gone too far. Today, many parents have a concern that the moment their child comes home, they go into their room and go on their device, whether this means they are playing games or messaging friends, and even living under the same roof, people are spending less and less time together and more and more time isolated in their own rooms, doing their own thing. Some children will not even eat together with the rest of the family and will eat by themselves in their room. These devices are now playing a role in families losing their bond and connection.
We have to think responsibly and honestly about what this technology is doing for us. Do we really want to be people who cannot connect with the people closest to us and the people who are most important to us? It is interesting that when we talk about social media, whether it is groups that are chatting or various platforms, there is a direct connection for youngsters and adults that those who are very active online are proportionally inactive in real life. There are many youngsters who have many friends online, but in real life, they have no or few friends. They are participating in online forums , but in reality, they are socially so weak that they cannot hold a conversation with the next person. That person is not just an introvert in real life, but they do not have any social skills. The people who design social media platforms are saying that they did not design these platforms for children, and because there is no real measure to stop people from doing this, kids get carried away and it affects everything. Part of being a Muslim is being an intelligent human being and doing what matters first. This includes giving more time to important things and less time to unimportant things.
At this age, where we are developing our social skills, our conversation skills and our etiquette, it is more important for us to interact with real people than it is for us to interact online and in the digital world. May Allah (SWT) enable us to use these things without harming ourselves.
